Sick Designs

Sony Walkman W

2010-01-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

This the recent mp3 player Sony released at the end of 2009. As a design, it is extremely cool. I guess in the sense that its the only mp3 player out there that i know of where it is the headphone itself. Honestly, i have had this sort of concept way back in the day as a kid when i was using my Sony CD Walkman. Just that thought of "How cool could it be if the music player was only a headphone. My idea went further which is basically just the earphone itself without a single chord. I am sure some idea or concept similar to this is out there somewhere and most likely making it even smaller than i thought. Almost to a point that its like a hearing aid. Honestly the hearing aid design is probably the best way to go for an mp3 player. There should be a music player thats going to be good for us physically, without damaging too much of our ear.

Armored Police METALJACK

2009-08-06T05:03:00.000-07:00

i still have the toys from the show. Probably one of my favorite toys i ever owned. I`m writing about this since i recently watched the old anime series on DVD from beginning to end. I haven`t had the chance to do that all these years. The series was still good to watch. Just Dream On...

BaseStation

2009-07-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

this is my favorite brand recently. a lot of their products are nicely designed. really simple. not too many of them are around the city. only 3 i know from looking at their website. the packaging, to the design of the products, to the logo.

Calvin Klein 365 Boxer Briefs

2009-06-08T09:05:00.000-07:00

I've been really caught up on buying pretty expensive underwear for a reason. I've lately been buying underwears by Levi's, Outdoor Products, Body Wild, Tulex, BVD, Arnold Palmer, etc.

I guess for once i realize underwear could be something as important as a shirt. What next...socks?

Fred Perry

2009-06-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

I got myself a Fred Perry shirt. The stripes are in Italian color. I guess i got that one since i didn't see it out of all the stores i've gone around.

Lately i've been buying a lot of polo type shirt.

HONDA Zoomer

2009-01-13T14:04:00.000-08:00

I see this bike all over the place here and i really love the design. Its got this outdoor like look and just has a unique look for a bike. Although i wouldn't really know which color would be best...

CASIO G-Shock [G8100-1]

2008-12-31T06:01:00.000-08:00

My second G-Shock watch. This time its a digital watch. Love the simple design. Again its an all black. Seems to be my theme color these days.

Garakuta Boeki

2008-12-22T09:50:00.000-08:00

This is probably one of my favorite store that i stop in whenever i'm in Ueno Ameyoko area. I didn't realize there was also one in Shibuya, just need to know where exactly it is. Place is huge. But i've been tons of stuffs from the store. A lot of things to see. I've bought my Freshjive and Obey shirts there. I especially like the random goodies they have there. I remember i also bought my american post box bank there too. Such a fun place to go.

NIKE Reversible Fleece Windrunner Jacket

2008-12-22T09:48:00.000-08:00

Got this yesterday at the Nike store. Just what i was looking for. I've been looking around for some type of hoodie or sweater, but something new and something different. I looked all over the place and Nike had it. I like the fact that its reversible. I don't have these colors, but mine are brown and mocha with a light blue logo on it.

GRAVIS Jetway Travel Bag

2008-12-13T07:19:00.000-08:00

Got this travel bag today. I guess i`m really into Gravis Footwear products. I also like this material recently. Its the same material for my wallet, my messenger bag, and the North Face DJ bag. Loving the various pockets and opening and closings of the bag.

SLAMDUNK [Complete Edition]

2008-12-10T06:11:00.001-08:00

I've been recollecting the Slam Dunk comic book. Only this time, its the complete edition, meaning the books are bigger and compiled with two volumes in one book. We used to have the old version but my brother gave it to a friend as a gift. The books have new illustrated cover by Inoue Takehiko, which they look pretty sweet. Reading it all over again right now. Currently have 8 volumes.

GRAVIS Chuck LX

2008-12-10T06:03:00.000-08:00

Gravis is probably my favorite shoe brand. This is my third pair to own and its a mid top. The design reminds of Jordan shoes which is probably why i like it. It is really comfy. Lately i've been really into black, gray, and red, color schemes.

BY:DSIGN HDMI 16" LCD

2008-09-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

I recently treated myself to a new TV. Recently, well pretty much yesterday. And its change my lifestyle a bit thankfully. Its been years since i've seen actual Japanese television in real time. I've been mostly watching it in files or youtube and its strange to see it live after awhile. I looked around for TVs, by price, and by the brand types. I ended up with a flat panel HDMI LCD TV by byd:sign. Not a brand we hear of everyday but the design, the 16 inch wide display and the fact that i can use it as a monitor for my laptop was something too good to be true. The price was $350 but i'd much rather spend on a tv this much and be able to sell it some place rather than an old $80 tube tv which i can't sell at all.

This isn't the exact photo of my TV but you can get the idea of the design. It looks like it would look great next to a PS3, although i have no interest whatsoever in purchasing one...

CONTROL

2008-09-07T08:51:00.000-07:00

This was a dark b/w biopic of Ian Curtis, the vocalist from Joy Division. Charlie spoke to me about this film months ago and gave me a copy of it. Just watched it tonight and thought it was brilliant. I don't know much about Joy Division but its name and a bit of its sound. But its always good to know the bio of the man behind the microphone.

The image cover of this film is also creative. Still keeps that b/w which got me off guard at first but forgot about later on.

DR.STUART'S : Extraordinarily Good Teas

2008-09-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

I recently saw these teas sold at a import food shop in Shin Marunouchi Building in Otemachi / Tokyo station. For a tea packaging i thought it was very creative and quirky. Made me want to buy the tea. Maybe i'll pick up next time i go there again.

Design Tshirts Store Graniph

2008-07-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

This is a store thats pretty much all over Japan. I think its a recently established store. A lot of the design seem Japanese + European. The designs on the shirts remind me a lot of 2k by Gingham or some shirts sold in Threadless. Notice they use Helvetica in a lot of their modern contemporary design. They do sell Helvetica shirts. Which i still have yet to own one...

Shirts are in pretty reasonable price. One shirt for about $26, 2 for $42. So it isn't that bad. I think the good qualities are the fact that you can get shirts in different colors and sizes.

BBC MONKEY JOURNEY TO THE WEST [HEWITT + ALBARN]

2008-07-26T03:10:00.001-07:00

Check out the video:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr5ZWYRaAyw

As soon as i saw the monkey, i knew right away it had to do with Hewitt and Albarn. Just seeing the character design it truly is recognizable. Great opening video and makes you excited about the olympics.

GUDANG GARAM [Indonesian Cigarettes]

2008-07-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

This is the original taste of the Djarium Black. Black is more softer and barely has what Gudang Garam has. My parents used to smoke this a lot as a kid and this was probably the main reason why i wanted to smoke, because of the smell of this cigarette.

FJALL RAVEN

2008-07-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

A brand i recently learned from seeing a store in Tsudanumas Morrisia mall. Its a Swedish outdoor brand and something i've never seen before. The designs are interesting. Something fresh since i mostly seen North Face, Patagonia, Montbell, and LL Bean. Loving the logo with the fox on it.

CUBE by Audio Technica

2008-06-23T07:22:00.001-07:00

So i picked up a new set of ear phones for my ipod shuffle. I was at K's Denki and found this one. It was for 980 yen which is pretty cheap. I was originally planning to get some type of headphones but ended up with this one.

I might get the headphones some other time though. It was 2000 yen and it had a nice slick design. I love Audio Technica products compared to Sonys.

Gravis TARMAC PTII [White + Shadow]

2008-06-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

So i bought my second pair of Gravis Tarmac. I think its rare that i've bought the same pair of shoes. Although this is slight different from my creme colored Tarmac which i still have. This time its white with grey shadow colors and red logo type color. So it has a slick futuristic color scheme.

These shoes are so comfy. Although they may seem bulky, its just comfortable.

Actually I did buy two of the same pairs of Saucony Jazz. Only difference was the color variations. Sadly i don't have them with me anymore.

DJARUM BLACK

2008-06-21T08:41:00.000-07:00

This cigarette is probably the main reason why i wanted to smoke. My parents used to smoke it and it had such a nice scent compared to a regular cigarette. So i was dying to smoke it while growing up. I started smoking occasionally from the age of 22. Still an occasional and social smoker. So i rarely buy a pack of cigarettes or basically don't buy it as much or pretty much never...

MICRO MAN WARS MAN

2008-04-26T07:28:00.001-07:00

Just bought this figure last month. I haven't bought a figure in a long time. This figure is probably about the same size as the 80s GI JOE toy i collected from Hasbro back when i was a kid. This has more flexibility though since its a Micro Man series.

Pretty cool looking Wars Man. Much nicer, cooler, and sharper looking then the toy i bought back in the 90s.

Weider in Jelly

2008-04-10T05:06:00.001-07:00

Its been awhile i posted something. Nothing since january i noticed. Well any sick designs ive seen lately. Would be this Weider in Jelly drink. I've been drinking it pretty much almost everyday. Its a nice jelly drink. Easy to drink and somewhat fills you up. Keeps me from being hungry all the time.

El Orfanato [ The Orphanage ]

2008-01-27T22:19:00.000-08:00

This movie is just traumatizing. Its not a scary thriller movie. It kind of is but isn't. The trailer just misleads. Its just one of those movies which you just have to see and not expect the things you expect right away. Great casts and i especially found the foreign language to be more powerful than in the language which we mostly are familiar with.

Wow. This movie is getting me thinking...

Saucony Original BULLET

2008-01-25T08:33:00.000-08:00

[for better look] http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/22248411/c/110889/reviewcount/15.html#mr

I just got a pair of these babies. Very retro. Very low and narrow and soft. It feels like a hybrid of my grey Asics shoes and my Puma Morpheus. Was only $47. Sweet! Got 'em for my birthday.

This is probably my fourth pair of Sauconys. I first had the Shadow. Then i had my Jazz in white grey and black. Then i had the same Jazz but in blue, dark blue, and accent neon green.

This is a little different from the Shadows and Jazz since its lower and much lighter.

Pink Lady

2008-01-21T00:44:00.000-08:00

Pink Lady was a famous Japanese female pop duo. They were big in the late 70s and 80s. I know of them through my mom. I always hear her talk of them and for some reason i start downloaded a few of their tracks. Its also because of Downtowns episode on Pink Lady, which made me want to research and listen to their tracks. I guess its all because of the Downtown show. If i don't know anything about Pink Lady, then i can't laugh at their jokes.

Listening to their songs now just brings that nostalgic feeling of that time. I can't feel the nostalgic memory obvious since i wasn't born at the time. But you know what i mean. When you hear the oldies, you feel the oldness of that time, even if you don't even have a recollection.

Luckily i have YouTube to bring me back to that era to show me the clips when Pink LAdy was around.

TARMAC [GRAVIS]

2008-01-21T00:34:00.000-08:00

I have a pair of these and its been a great pair. i recall that i bought my pair at Untitled over on Clark and Diversey. I was hanging out with my friend Nikki and that shoe just so happened to be on sale for like $35. So i bought it right away. Its usually great during winter. Other shoes make my toe numb but this shoe doesn't. I guess its all because this shoe was sort of built for the winter and so the exterior part of the hoe is very strong from taking the cold air into the interior of the shoe. Plus if a shoe looks good when you are wearing shorts and pants. Thats a plus. Well a plus for me that is. I'm very particular when i buy pairs of shoes. They have to be compatible with any clothes i wear and when i wear shorts and pants.

EGGO LEGO

2008-01-11T17:44:00.000-08:00

I saw these at target and had to get them. Why in the world would Lego collaborate with Eggo? Because they sound alike...or simply Legos just kick ass!

JUNO

2008-01-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

I just watched this movie last weekend and it was worth it. It was very last minute. Watched the trailer in the morning then all of a sudden i just had the urge to see it that day. Looked up the schedule online and biked over to the Davis Theater over on Lincoln Square. I like the Davis Theater because its old plus its cheap. $5!

The movie was very sarcastic, very modern. Definitely something the kids today will enjoy and can learn something from watching the movie. It had that same feeling of Napoleon Dynamite, not as crazy and random, but also has that simplicity like The Squid and the Whale.

FREITAG

2007-12-16T19:39:00.000-08:00

Ever since i've seen my design teacher use this bag i've gotten really into it. The fact thats its recycled pieces is just amazing. It makes every bags design unique and very individual-like.

ROYKSOPP "Remind Me" PV

2007-12-14T16:52:00.000-08:00

I have a fetish for information graphics, and this is a great example of using it in a pop graphical way. What i like most about it is that its mostly on a linear angle.

The Soupbox

2007-12-09T20:40:00.000-08:00

I've always like this logo, very simple, few colors, very bold. I hear they have good soup.

PREMONITION

2007-11-24T17:08:00.000-08:00

I was at Best Buy and saw the cover to this movie. Very cool and creative. Not something you see everyday. I like how the birds form the ambiguous parts of Sandra Bullocks' nose, while the branches and its leaves form her eyes.

The Omega Man

2007-11-23T21:32:00.000-08:00

Just saw this old school film with Charlton Heston. Feels very similar to The Planet of the Apes. Too bad there is a new adaptation of this with Will Smith titled I Am Legend. This film was great for its time.

The Child

2007-11-20T22:27:00.001-08:00

Brilliant video showing just using typography. Wow.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure [Araki Hirohiko]

2007-11-14T23:12:00.000-08:00

Been always fond of this illustrators are style. Very western influenced. Never got to read it since i was too busy reading Dragonball, Slam Dunk, and Kochikame. Wasn't reading Rurouni Kenshin at the time. This manga is really long. Which means i have to start from the beginning since its in 5 or more generations.

[Los Logos] [Dos Logos] [Tres Logos]

2007-11-14T21:25:00.000-08:00

I saw this book first at Tandemodus. Kelly Komp had it and thought it was an awesome book. I always see it at borders. Might want this for Christmas maybe, i don't know. But these three books are an inspiration for logos and logotype designs.

Grey Tabby

2007-11-11T20:29:00.000-08:00

I haven't been a huge cat fan but recently i have since i've seen Lauren's Cat, Alex and Nikki's cat. I seem to like this type of cat, Grey Tabby. Audrey helped me clarify the type of cat that i was talking about. I just like their pattern and they seem like the friendlist type of cat out of all the other cats i've encountered with.

Patty Burger

2007-11-10T12:42:00.000-08:00

After living in Chicago for five years, i have never tasted such delicious burger than Patty's. I heard about the place first, then took my steps into the joint. The burger is so tasteful and fulfilling, the fries are in its perfect texture, and their milkshake is just delicious and worth the price.

Not mention i love the retro calender girl illustration of the girl who i assume is Patty.

Hydro 74

2007-11-07T01:02:00.000-08:00

Justin Siddons introduced me to this artist online. His works are just amazing. The fact that he has contributed so many designs in the apparel industry is just phenomenal. This guy is just...marvelous.

NEW BALANCE

2007-11-03T02:35:00.000-07:00

Not this particular color but i like this shoes a lot. Even if i've never owned a pair. My glimpse of this shoe would be my two pairs of Saucony's. Which are pretty damn close, but i'm assuming New Balance would be better. I want one. No idea what color though.

WIKIPEDIA

2007-11-03T02:32:00.000-07:00

I go to this site about 50 times a day as source of my data and information. Its not always relevent and as reliable but has worked for me for about 80 percent of the time when i need to get an information quick.

GeGeGe no Kitaro

2007-11-02T22:21:00.000-07:00

Found out that this old school manga and anime is back. He's been emo way before emo was emo.

12 MONKEYS

2007-11-01T22:09:00.001-07:00

I like this symbol alot. So far this movie is great... still in the middle of it.

Hilarious...

2007-10-30T17:13:00.001-07:00

Just thought this was hilarious...

LOGO'S [From Old to New]

2007-10-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

http://nevenmrgan.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_archive.html

I must say i agree with this guys blog how the older logos seem to have more simple and bold definition. The new ones, are good, nicely executed. But it doesn't give that simplicity as a logo. Saul Bass is an inspiration. We have to leave his legacy and his 'style' because it is very essential to our value in design.

CAPCOM'S FINAL FIGHT

2007-10-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

One of the few games i've played and like from my childhood. I remember this game when Super Famicom just came out. It was just so addicting. Memories...

AUTUMN OF THE SERAPHS [PINBACK]

2007-10-25T01:07:00.001-07:00

Its just nice to see album covers being illustrated again. This is the illustrated cover of Pinback's new album. Pretty cool. Very 90s looking for some reason.

THE INCREDIBLES [PIXAR]

2007-10-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

The Incredibles is probably my favorite Pixar animation. Second would be Toy Story. The other works don't appeal to me at all. Its just so well done. Just love how its got that art deco style mixed with the 50 retro style. Its just a brilliant animation.

NIKE KUKINI

2007-10-10T22:50:00.000-07:00

I have a love and hate relationship with this shoe. First i like the design because of its resemblance to Spiderman. Second, its cool and light and comfortable but its hard to match clothes with it. Third, i have had this shoe since like 10th grade so almost 7 years now and still in perfect condition. I've probably worn it for about 25 or so times so far in those 7 years.

TORIYAMA AKIRA [DRAGON BALL]

2007-10-10T22:42:00.000-07:00

Consider this manga to be my bible as Toriyama would be my god and mentor. I wouldn't be here today as an 'artist' if it wasn't for this man. Truly my favorite. I love his storytelling, sequential imaging, hatching techniques, character development, and mechanical designs.

GENIE [DISNEY]

2007-10-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

This is an awesome Genie piece. I would so want this on my desk. Another useless but cool WANTS.

SPIDERMAN

2007-10-10T22:28:00.000-07:00

(Excuse the signature, this is the best i can find...)

Most likely he and Wolverine will have to fight for the first place. I like Spiderman for his acrobatic skills and his really awesome costume design. The first movie really did it for me. Truly a great character.

WOLVERINE

2007-10-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

Its cliche but i still love Wolverine as a character and as a design. Its his deal rough dude and don't fuck me attitude that comic book fans probably admire about him. Not to mentioned the claws and his way of jumping you like a dog.

LEG TOY [HALLOWEEN PRANK]

2007-10-10T22:04:00.000-07:00

I was biking on my way to Wicker Park. And right on Henderson street i saw this damn toy hanging from someones sedan and scared the shit out of me. I swear to god i nearly fell of my bike. Not to mention few seconds before that my jeans got caught on the bike. I seriously thought it was real.

After getting scared from the toy it flashed an old memory of me back in third grade at my dads old home. I was with my two girl cousins and my cousin Yutaka had one of these. And i kept on playing with the damn thing i made my cousins laugh so hard. I can hardly remember what exactly i did but i remember playing with it a lot.

Good times. Haven't seen those cousins since.

DREW STRUZAN

2007-10-10T14:52:00.000-07:00

I might have mentioned him before in this blog. So this might be a doubled or clone blog i guess. Anyway, i enjoy a lot of Struzans illustration. His works are well recognized and respected that so many people copy his way of work. Even i do. I think the cover art to Angels & Airwaves site reminded me of his work again, which i'm wondering whether he had anything to do with that bands art work or someone just simply resembled his work.

VERTIGO

2007-10-09T23:44:00.000-07:00

I'm currently on a Hitchcock phase. This is one of the few once i want to see next. Very Saul Bass and beautifully designed poster.

WALL E [PIXAR]

2007-10-01T20:04:00.000-07:00

Just saw this trailer. As most of you may know, i love robots. I've loved robots since i was 5. Even got in trouble in school for doing nothing but draw robots. This future Pixar movie was definitely made for me.

INCA COLA

2007-09-27T01:26:00.000-07:00

I don't recall where i first tried this drink but its one of my favorite foreign drinks. I recently discovered that i can drink it at this Columbian chicken place. According to my friend from Ecuador its a cheap and supposedly a nasty drink. But to me, i guess since i'm not a native, its something different and fulfilling. Probably an equivalent to a Japanese melon soda or to an Amercan cream soda.

BOB LE FLAMBEUR

2007-09-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

Another great film noir poster. Really nice and dramatically illustrated.

EYES WITHOUT A FACE

2007-09-17T23:27:00.000-07:00

I have a fetish for film noir posters. This poster spoke to me when i was at the Landmark theater. Its just so dramatic and creative. Now in my list to see for sure.

MARGOT AT THE WEDDING

2007-09-17T23:24:00.000-07:00

Was at Landmark theater and saw this poster. Very old school 70s feeling. Love the usage of avant garde-esque typeface. Almost feels like an album cover.

BANKSY

2007-09-16T17:26:00.001-07:00

Banksy is a perfect example of an street artist who literally puts a connection to the relationship of space and time. His stencils on walls, grounds, pretty much anywhere, gives a connective relationship to the people who see it. And especially to the environment to where that stencil is placed. Reminds you of those trick paintings on the wall where it looks like a rhino is coming at you or a guy is stealing a painting. He puts such great humor into them as well.

COOL WORLD

2007-09-15T00:30:00.000-07:00

I recall this live-action + animation movie back when i was a kid. I knew there was something to it but i couldn't put my finger as to what was wrong with the movie. Obviously it was the sex in the cartoon. Very unrated movie. Only a few people would know if this films existence as people said it was shit compared to Roger Rabbit. But the thing is, it isn't and very far from it. People seem to associate animation to Disney. Even Ghibli. But not everything is 'Disney-fied'. Cool World had its own flavor too. I honestly would wanna see it today and even own it just the fact that its rare and it was one of the old school movies where Brad Pitt was not even well-known yet. I just felt some bizarre connection to this movie. For its creepiness and surreal quality. Besides the hot Holli character played by Kim Basinger. But initially the concept of a cartoonist going into his own cartoon world is just simply an awesome idea. And truly fucked up.

GUNDAM ZZ

2007-09-13T23:01:00.000-07:00

Currently watching the third series of the Gundam epic created by Tomino Yoshiyuki. Somewhat of a continuing installment to the Zeta Gundam series. Always wanted to watch Zeta and ZZ. Just loved the fact that it takes three vehicles to make the ZZ. Loving everything about it right now.

MIA FARROW

2007-09-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

(shitty quality, here is a better quality http://www.magazine.org/Editorial/40-40-covers/26.jpg>

I love this image of Mia Farrow. She was so cute and adorable in The Great Gatsby.

My next movie to see. Love the type and the little silhoutte of the baby carriage.

NIKE 'MOVE' [music by Jonathan Elias]

2007-09-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

My favorite Nike Commercial. Its just edited so well, and never seen anything like this how they've mixed all the sports together but really well sequentially. The music just fits perfectly and gives this sentimental feeling to it.

PAUL POPE

2007-09-12T23:24:00.000-07:00

Dana Gil mentioned to me about this artist. I gotta talk to him directly as to how he found out about the artist and what he likes about his works. But i figured i should take a look at it myself. I don't know how to describe his works. But i can totally see its uniqueness. Its very organic, very wave-like. It just has this ugly coolness to it. I just can't describe it... but its just gnarly.

FRANK FRAZETTA

2007-09-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

Frank Frazetta is probably one of the greatest illustrators of the 20th Century. A lot of works we see today have some Frazetta in it. Especially a lot of medieval fantasy genre illustrations. He is mainly well known for a lot of the Conan illustrations. But one thing is, this man is versatile. He actually can cartoon, and also paint realistically. So his range is just huge and endless. He even lost his ability to use his left hand, so he started to learn to draw with his right. And it still had the same look but a little different obviously. May he rest in peace. Thank you for being alive and showing us...

NATHAN SAWAYA [ LEGO ARTIST ]

2007-09-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

I've always loved lego. Especially lego sculptures. Making legos, like how Nathan Sawaya does seem simple but it isnt. It simply is like working pixel by pixel in order to create something great and smooth. And this man has pushed the boundaries and smoothen the sharpe curves of the lego blocks. I especially love this BIRTH piece. You can see that the blue lego figure is finishing himself piece by piece.

BITTER SECRESTAT

2007-09-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

I've seen this poster the first time at the Bar Louie on Polk St and Dearborn St., right by the 731 S Plymouth Ct. dormitory. I love the interaction of the type and the bartender. Very old school, art deco poster. Just love how the drinks are on top of the letters how he is holding the word 'bitter' with his right hand. Brilliant.

ANGELINA JOLIE [FOXFIRE]

2007-09-10T19:41:00.000-07:00

I felt like listening to Postal Service one day. Then i looked up their bio on wikipedia. Found out a singer from RILO KILEY had sung some songs with Postal Service. Then i looked up Rilo Kiley and looked up the singer, Jenny Lewis. Turns out, she was an actress. Then the movie Foxfire came up. Which lead me to watching it. The main girl, sort of, is played by Angelina Jolie. She plays a girl named Legs. A tomboy, rebel, leather jacket and boots type of girl. And i find Jolie in this role to be very very attractive. Something about me have some fetish of girls beeing boyish but still keeping there feminine figure and face alot. Guess its the idea of them just playing a role, not really being boyish for real. But Jolie in this film reminds me of Aya as Tsurumoto Nao, a similar character to legs.

So Jolie to me is hotter when younger in this movie. Not to mention the unexpected nude scenes. Didn't see that coming.

CASHBACK

2007-09-09T23:53:00.000-07:00

A very interesting film. One of those simple films i enjoy in terms of small cast, simple story, and unpredictable story sequences. I guess the fact that it was pretty is what draws me the most. Mainly talks about relationships. dreams, insomniac, art, work, everything that i can simply related to right now. At first it reminded me of Art School Confidential, but that was a horrible movie. Really was. I would said this would a more of a successor to that.

I can totally related with the character, Ben.

THEO JANSEN [ KINETIC SCULPTOR ]

2007-09-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

I was first looking for an image of a Rhinoceros. And an image of Theo Jansen's Rhinoceros came up. I at first thought it was a architecture of some sort by the beach. But as i saw more images of it, it seemed to have moved. So i jumped onto Youtube and found these clips. And i kid you not, i nearly shit in my pants when i saw those things moved.

Not only are they designed really uniquely but the movements are just phenomenal.

Wow. This seriously made my day.

HOLY STATUES

2007-09-08T22:45:00.000-07:00

I browsing through some interesting jesus statues. I was mainly looking for the Christ Redeemer. Then i stumbled upon these two.

Very interesting and modern depiction. I really like the sharp flat surfaces. I just love the contrast of the organic and the feeling of a mechanic. Reminds me so much of RC from the Transformers or Tron or something.

MOEBIUS [JEAN GIRAUD]

2007-09-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

I was introduced by Moebius by my teacher in 2D Design, Brady Haston. Moebius' art was very familiar looking to me since Toriyama Akira and Miyazaki Hayao had such resemblance to his style, especially the hatching and the dusty dirty look of their illustration. This illustration shows such a significant difference by letting Moebius touch the canvas and put his take on american comic books. American comic books are known for its dominant black inks and this piece clearly shows more hatching more than everything. Not to mention the light and contrast is all signified by the hatching while the colors are technically one flat color per element.

PLANET TERROR

2007-09-05T03:49:00.000-07:00

I just love the vintage quality of this poster, especially the fake folds and tears all over the poster. as well as the concept of Rose McGowan's character having an automatic gun as her leg. Brilliant.

V for Vendetta

2007-09-05T03:45:00.000-07:00

When i first saw this movie poster i fell in love with the composition and its take on the Russian Constructivist look of design. It was basically a nice eye-opener after those long years of boring ass photo composed and manipulated posters which we see a lot today.

Doctor Zhivago

2007-09-05T03:43:00.000-07:00

Just another old school illustrated movie covers that i personally love and miss seeing the light of day...

WESTWORLD

2007-09-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

I recall seeing this nicely illustrated cover when i was at a record store looking for cool second hand vinyls with great illustrations. For some reason i didn't buy it. But i loved the randomness and the way the composition of this piece was composed. A great mix of sci-fi and western.

Classic.

CANADA DRY GINGER ALE

2007-08-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

I've been fond of this drink every since i lived in Osaka. I don't recall when i had my first taste but ever since then i've been buying Canada Dry ginger ale for a long time. Whenever i think of ginger ale, its Canada Dry. I even bought some old vintage print ads. That clearly shows how much i love this drink. One memory i remember is one prom night, possibly my junior year prom. We all went out to a bar/club at Ayala Mall. Everyone was drinking some alcohol, back then i wasn't into it at all or was not into the wave of getting drunk. So i ordered a ginger ale. I at first didn't know what to drink but the moment i saw it listed on the menu i ordered it right away. I guess nobody in Cebu had heard of ginger ale. So they literally thought i was drinking since it was on a bottle and resembled a Heineken.

I might go buy some tonight. I especially dig the small 6 pack bottles.

A. OKAY TOYS

2007-08-23T22:28:00.000-07:00

This is somewhat of a new store in Belmont and Clark. More of Clark and School to be exact. At first i was pretty skeptical about the store since i'm such a loyal Rotofugi customer. But as i recently stepped into the store. Its actually not bad. A lot of the vinyl toys they sell there are great. I bought this one toy where its a crocodile that can split its body in half and it wears 2 pairs of socks on all its feet. Pretty neat.

RAMRIDER

2007-08-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

As i was watching youtube, i typed in Suzuki Emi just for the curiosity from seeing her in Galsa. Which lead to a Pinky CM with her in it. And the background music playing was Feels Gonna Feel by RamRider. The second i heard it, i was like 'who is that?!'. Then its RamRider. Watched a bunch of videos on youtube. And almost every song got me hooked. Its just a perfect marriage of Daft Punk and Supercar. I just ordered this album.

The Right Brain

2007-08-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

I'm left-handed. And as they say, left handed people are right-brained. The right hemisphere of the brain is know to be the more 'artistically' creative. Whatever that means, whether it is true or not. I like how this illustration illustrates that in way.

LIAR GAME

2007-08-18T23:22:00.000-07:00

Currently watching this show. Really interesting and gets you sucked in. Toda Erika and Matsuda Shota is just great.

[Based on the manga series of the same name, Toda Erika plays an honest college student, Kanzaki Nao, who receives a hundred million yen one day, along with a card saying she has been chosen to take part in the "Liar Game". The aim of the game is to trick the other players out of their hundred million dollars. At the end, the winner gets the hundred million and the loser is a hundred million yen in debt. The next day, she receives notification that her opponent is her former teacher, Fujisawa Kazuo. She goes to him, seeking help, but ends up getting tricked into handing her money over. Desperate, she approaches the police for help, but they are unable to do anything. However, she is told of a mastermind swindler, Akiyama Shinichi, who is to be released from jail the next day. Desperate, she goes to him for help. -- Rikayla (Updated by Backalley)]

ICHIRO

2007-08-11T00:39:00.000-07:00

At work today, surprisingly the customer was Ichiro. He had 13 other friends with him. Few of the customers were going crazy. Especially the kids. It was nice to see him close in the flesh. Last time i saw him was during a game against the White Sox. He was wearing a popular brand t-shirt. A skull with a tongue sticking out.

ITO EN LATTE'S

2007-08-08T20:38:00.000-07:00

I recently am a fan of these Ito En Latte series sold in Whole Foods Market. I was kind of skeptical when i bought it but after i drank it i was hooked. Definitely need to pick up some more since i drank em all.

Always - Sunset on Third Street

2007-08-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

Going to watch this movie today. Seems very interesting. Always loved the poster as it feels very vintage and has that Drew Struzan meets Japanese illustration feeling. Might want a poster of this.

DRACAENA

2007-08-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

Bought myself a plant today from a neighborhood shop ROSCOE BLOOMS. Nice little store with nice interiors and cool looking plants with containers.

It is weird to say what my reason is for buying a plant. As to what enlightened me to buy one. I guess its my way to taking care of something. Ideally it would be a dog. But a dog requires massive attention, dog walking, and paying for food. Right now isn't the perfect time to buy one, as if there ever is a perfect time. But i just needed or wanted more i guess, of a plant.

Use to have a lot of them back home in Philippines. As my mom loved plants. Especially in Elizabeth Pond. Back in Emerald Compound we only had a few. But i was always the one water them whenever i got home from school.

So its nice to have plant in the apartment. Just have to get used to figuring out the routine of watering it and cleaning it.

Oxygen!

OCEANS 11 [1960]

2007-07-25T01:04:00.000-07:00

I haven't seen the original Ocean's Eleven with Frank Sinatra and the rest of the ensemble of 1960s actors and actresses. But i did just see the recent first version with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, etc. I'd admit i actually enjoyed the remake. But i have yet to see the original 1960's version. Just something at the back of my head about not trying to like this remake because it is, a 'remake'.

I'm not too fond of remakes. Not too many or even any have been done successful. To me i believe things shouldn't be remade at all. Things are made timeless, or rather should be made timeless. It is what people have left in the passed and done. Why tinker with it.

I write about this i guess just to say that i love this old vintage poster of the movie. After i see Ocean's 12, as 13 is out on the theater, but i'm not too eager to see it right away, i would want to pick up a copy of the Sinatra version of Ocean's Eleven.

手紙　[Tegami]

2007-07-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Just saw this movie yesterday. Features three of my favorite actors. Tamayama Tetsuji, Sawajiri Erika, and Yamada Takayuki. Really dramatic movie. Made me want to cry. Sawajiri is getting huge recognition now. Yamada has been in alot of great works, he seems to choose the right movies all the time. The last scene of this movie made me wanna cry, especially with the song by Oda Kazumasa's 'Kotoba ni Dekinai', playing in the background.

STUDIO GHIBLI

2007-07-11T19:49:00.000-07:00

It seems like i'm a bigger Studio Ghibli fan than a Disney fan. I have probably seen more Ghibli works than Disney works. These are what i have seen so far:

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984, pre-Ghibli)
Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Porco Rosso (1992)
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Spirited Away (2001)
The Cat Returns (2002)

Whats interesting about their works is the consistency in the feeling of the film. I didn't realize until i looked at the date that some of them were made back in the 80s as i have seen most of them in the 90s or late 90s. You can watch them today and feel as if they were just made yesterday, which is very Ghibli quality. Mainly what i like about the Ghibli world is the real capture of essence in the setting of the place. Mainly its Europe or Japan, but whats great is you can really feel you're there. It gives you that cool breeze and makes you wanna lay down on the grass and close your eyes and go to sleep. Its that same feeling i get whenever i see a work by Ghibli Film.

For now i have these movies that i'm interested to watch:

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Tales from Earthsea (2006)

The Transformers: The Movie [1986]

2007-07-08T22:34:00.000-07:00

I just saw the live action movie. It was ok. To me THE MOVIE is still going to be the animated series back in the 80s. I recently bought the special edition dvd at Virgin Mega Store (which is gonna close soon). A lot of new features. Nice quality and more extra footages. This cool animated image i stumbled upon from wikipedia.

Francois Langur

2007-07-03T00:58:00.000-07:00

Today was my first visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo here in Chicago. I've lived here for about 5 years and finally visited the zoo. I was mainly drawn by the Primate House. I just love monkeys. One particular monkey i just loved the design and the look. Francois Langur. Even the name is just awesome. Their hair, color, and design is just something.

ISO50

2007-06-30T00:19:00.000-07:00

I don't remember how i found this guys works. But i just love the colors and the layouts. My brother has been buying some shirts from the site. I actually wanted to buy some of the tabloid posters. He does such a good job with the silkscreen texture look. Very vintage, very classic, very well done.

THE TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED MOVIE POSTER

2007-06-30T00:15:00.001-07:00

So this is a little different from the typical once we've seen from the 80s movie. Its i believe the Japanese version of the movie poster and i just love it alot more since its more dynamic and dramatic. I remember seeing this poster at Mandarake in Osaka for 5000 yen ($50). I didn't wanna pay that much for a poster but loved the illustration so much.

Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann

2007-06-28T00:51:00.000-07:00

Its probably been a long long time or maybe never that a new current Japanese animation had impressed me. I discover Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann from watching some clips of Nakagawa Shoko, who sings the opening theme to the animation. As soon as i saw the mecha design and the character designs, it got me curious. As i saw the clips on veoh.com, the pilot was not bad and it made me want to watch more. The mecha has a unique design yet is very child-like but nostalgic. It is a kids show since its says 8:30 AM on the clock but Japanese kids show can range from a kid to an adult, not all the time but from what i can think when i was a kid myself. But the characters big head concept and merging into a giant robot sometime in the future of the story has a good concept. I heard its only 26 episodes which i'm glad. I love short episode series, since you know they have a limit and need to end it. This is a current fave for me. Next to Death Note.

PAUL RAND

2007-06-25T00:53:00.001-07:00

I love alot of the logo designs Paul Rand had come up. So simple. So bold. I even kept the book Marks of Excellence which is the basic 101 of logos, marks, and semiotics. He was such a great pioneer to the world of graphic design even before it was called that.

TOBLERONE

2007-06-25T00:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't eaten this in a long time. But i've always loved the packaging and the taste of the chocolate. I didn't realize that it actually resembled the pyramids. Now i wanna pick up a bar of Toblerone.